Town & Country planning act (1947) – together with post war austerity, caused extensive delays to building the Equatorial Group at Herstmonceux

Delays caused by post-war lack of funding (1948-58)

The appointment of Woolley as Astronomer Royal (1956) – he was arrogant and misjudged the mood

Creation of the new Universities (1960s) – created demand for astronomy research funding in the uk and the need for suitable UK jobs for new graduates many of whom went to work in America where there were good observing facilities

Formation of SRC (1965). Woolley welcomed the change. The plus side for the Observatory was the loosening of the shackles by which it had been partly bound as a utilitarian naval observatory. The downside (and the importance of this was underestimated at the time) was that it lost a loyal champion and now had to compete for funding both with other astronomers and other scientific disciplines.

Dissent in the Northern Hemisphere Review Committee (1969-70)

The bungling of Woolley’s succession (1970-2)

Burbidge letter in Nature (1972)

White Paper – Framework for Government Research and Development (1972)